The problem with the Lord’s Prayer is neither its content nor its historicity, but its familiarity. Many congregants don’t actually think of the meaning of the words or, if they do, find only comfort rather than a challenge. Little children still happily conclude that the deity’s name is "Harold" fear that the major sin they might commit is trespassing on someone else’s lawn, adn earnestly hope that they are never led "into Penn Station." When placed in a first-century Jewish context, the prayer recovers numerous connotations that make it both more profound and more political. It fosters belief, promotes justice, consoles with future hope, and recognizes that the world is not always how we would want it.
the Misunderstood Jew: the church and the scandal of the Jewish Jesus, by AJ Levine
how true.. and it made me giggle too
update: those crazy folks at church of the resurrection are talking up the Lord’s Prayer as well.
The other side of the coin is that many seekers coming into churches now – with zero background in Christianity – are totally unfamiliar with the “Our Father”. Someone asked my pastor, in a previous appointment, where they could find those words that everyone seemed to know… the ones about “Our Father in Heaven…”
The other side of the coin is that many seekers coming into churches now – with zero background in Christianity – are totally unfamiliar with the “Our Father”. Someone asked my pastor, in a previous appointment, where they could find those words that everyone seemed to know… the ones about “Our Father in Heaven…”
We were talking about that just today…I preached a sermon on it once…and on the 23rd Psalm…going through each phrase point by point. A lot of people came up after and said they’d not thought about the prayer or scripture that much in a long time, they just said it without really thinking.
We were talking about that just today…I preached a sermon on it once…and on the 23rd Psalm…going through each phrase point by point. A lot of people came up after and said they’d not thought about the prayer or scripture that much in a long time, they just said it without really thinking.
art, that is kinda sad & funny in the same.
carol, i say that is because most people read or recite scripture as a matter of task, not meditation fullfilment or even enjoyment
art, that is kinda sad & funny in the same.
carol, i say that is because most people read or recite scripture as a matter of task, not meditation fullfilment or even enjoyment